Bear Yuba Land Trust Protects 128-Acre Wildflower Ridge Preserve Forever! The SNC is proud to have helped support the permanent protection of Wildflower Ridge Preserve, a 128-acre property located at Rough & Ready Highway and Ridge Road in Grass Valley
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 18, 2023
Bear Yuba Land Trust Protects 128-Acre Wildflower Ridge Preserve
Posted in Park | Tags: Bear Yuba Land Trust, Wildflower Ridge Preserve
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 18, 2023
Bay Area park gets a major expansion, its first in over a decade
| SF Gate reports |
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| Read more » |
Posted in Park | Tags: Castle Rock State Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 18, 2023
Sandhill Cranes Are Moving to Cities and Adopting Urban Lifestyles
Sierra Magazine reports
Once elusive inhabitants of remote wetlands, sandhill cranes can now be found thriving in yards, athletic fields, and college campuses
Read more Sandhill Cranes Are Moving to Cities and Adopting Urban Lifestyles | Sierra Club
Posted in Birds | Tags: Sandhill Cranes
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 18, 2023
‘The aliens to watch’: how the humble earthworm is altering the Arctic
The Guardian reports
They are a gardener’s best friend, good for the soil and a treat for birds. But the humble earthworm may not always be good news, according to a study that suggests invasive earthworms could be making Arctic soils too fertile.
The earthworm is not typically thought of as an invasive species. “Most parts of Europe have earthworms so we never really saw them as a problem,” says lead researcher Dr Gesche Blume-Werry, an ecologist from the University of Greifswald in Germany. But Blume-Werry and her colleagues realised that “more and more spots in the Arctic have worms because humans brought them there”.
Read more at ‘The aliens to watch’: how the humble earthworm is altering the Arctic
Posted in Animals | Tags: Earthworms Threat to the Arctic
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 17, 2023
Take Action On Statewide Native Plant Bill Before Monday
AB1573, the first-ever CA bill to require 25% native plants in public and commercial landscapes, is at risk of being further watered down. Landscaping industry lobbyists are now trying to remove the requirement for native trees in urban areas.
Please call ((415) 557-1300)l or email State Senator Scott Wiener who resides on the Appropriations Committee and urge him to vote YES on Assembly Bill 1573 and include the native tree requirement in urban landscapes.
read more and see sample emails and phone scripts at Take Action On Statewide Native Plant Bill Before Monday
Posted in Environment | Tags: California Native Plant Bill
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 17, 2023
2 New Job Openings
Two new job postings from the CNPS Job Announcement site. Click on each for details and application process
Field Technician – River Partners
Job Posting: Environmental Scientist (Caltrans Reveg/Mitigation Specialist)
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Openings
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 17, 2023
New underwater species discovered in California
SF Gate reports
On a sunny morning in August 2021, Dr. Thomas Turner plunged into the water at the Carmel Pinnacles State Marine Reserve off California’s Central Coast. He found himself surrounded by steep granite walls, canopies of kelp forests and several species that struck him as unfamiliar.
Read more at ‘Alien life on Earth’: New underwater species discovered in California
Posted in Animals | Tags: New Species
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 16, 2023
Court Rejects Trump Administration Denial of Critical Habitat Protection to Endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebees
Center for Biological Diversity News Release
A federal judge on Friday rejected the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to refuse to designate critical habitat for highly endangered rusty patched bumblebees and ordered the Service to reconsider.Despite the bees having been listed as an endangered species in 2017, in part due to the loss of 99% of their native grasslands in the Northeast and upper Midwest, the Service determined in September 2020 that designating critical habitat for them was “not prudent.” The agency claimed that lack of habitat did not limit the bees’ conservation.
Posted in Animals | Tags: Rusty Patched Bumblebees
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 16, 2023
Lundy Canyon Wildflower Hike Sat. 8/19 At 8:30 am
From Inyo National Forest
This a friendly reminder that the Wildflower Walk will be held at Lundy Canyon this Saturday!
Some of the beautiful flowers that are currently blooming include Wyethia mollis (Woolly mule’s ears), Lilium parvum (Sierra tiger lily), Chamerion angustifolium (Fireweed), and Aconitum columbianum ssp. columbianum (Columbian monkshood).
Posted in Walks & Hikes, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Lundy Canyon, Wildflower Hikes
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 16, 2023
A new scheme to hike Half Dome without a permit just dropped: be a bear.
from Yosemite National Park
Hikers who secure a Half Dome permit and tackle the legendary 425 feet of cable are treated to some incredible views of Yosemite Valley. But it seems they may not be alone up there! Rangers recently discovered evidence of a black bear’s presence on the summit of Half Dome. Yosemite bears are excellent climbers and can easily tackle the 46-degree angle- no cables needed!
This observation serves as a good reminder that bear safety applies EVERYWHERE in Yosemite. Keep all smelly objects, from food to sunscreen, locked in a bear locker or bear canister. If you need to keep food in your car during the day, it must be out of sight, with the car windows rolled up and doors locked- at night it must be in a bear locker. While nobody drives up Half Dome, Yosemite bears are great at opening car doors in the Valley if they smell something tasty. Whether at camp or on the trail, always keep backpacks and scented items within arm’s reach- bears and other animals (like the Half Dome ground squirrels) will approach unattended bags quickly and are likely to create a few new holes before you notice them! For the safety of people and animals alike, keep your friends close and your food closer.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 16, 2023
The Fight for Wildlife and Wilderness in the National Parks
LIVE VIA ZOOM TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023 AT 5:30 PM PST
In this free webinar, conservationist and writer Jerry Emory discusses his recently published biography “ : The Fight for Wildlife and Wilderness in the National Parks.” Twenty-three-year-old George Meléndez Wright arrived in Yosemite National Park in 1927 to work as a ranger naturalist. He went on to become a visionary biologist who brought new ideas to his role at the National Park Service (NPS), organizing the first science-based wildlife survey of the western parks, and forever changing how the agency would manage public lands and natural resources. Wright was also the first Hispanic person to occupy a professional position in the NPS and he continues to be a celebrated figure among conservationists, wildlife experts, and park managers.
Interested but cannot attend? Register anyway. Webinars are recorded, and all registrants receive an email with a link to the recording when it is ready.
Register Now
Posted in Park | Tags: George Meléndez Wright, National Parks, wilderness
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 15, 2023
New Job Announcement
Click for information and application process:
Associate Director for Research, at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Opening
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 15, 2023
Eastern Sierra Native Plant Sale
The California Native Plant Society – Bristlecone Chapter is having their annual native plant sale all week online until this Thursday! 
The sale takes places online and in-person at the White Mountain Research Station. There are over 60 plant species available for purchase from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, but we recommend getting online early to buy your favorites! 
Pick up will take place Aug. 19 , 8:30-11 a.m. at the White Mountain Research Station.
Use this link to shop: 
https://bit.ly/3KF7YM1
https://bit.ly/3KF7YM1Posted in Garden | Tags: Native Plant Sale
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 15, 2023
Carnivore Conservation Is Tougher in the Mountains
The Revelator reports
Scientists “tromp out there into far-away places” to learn how to help recover three elusive, high-mountain predators: wolverines, Canada lynx and Cascade red foxes.
Read story at Carnivore Conservation Is Tougher in the Mountains • The Revelator
Posted in Animals, Environment | Tags: Carnivore Conservation
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 14, 2023
How Nonnative Invasive Plants Caused the Maui Fires to Rage
The New York Times Reports
A sweeping series of plantation closures in Hawaii allowed highly flammable nonnative grasses to spread on idled lands, providing the fuel for huge blazes.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2023/08/13/us/hawaii-wildfire-factors.html
Posted in Environment | Tags: Fire Danger of Nonnative Grasses, Maui Fires
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 14, 2023
The Ordinary Extraordinary Junco
The “Ordinary Extraordinary Junco” is a series of videos from the University of Indiana, National Science Foundation and Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior. The videos are high quality studies of the diversity and behavior of Juncos. They even include evidence of relatively quickly evolutionary adaptions of these birds.
Juncos have been studied for almost 100 years as scientists have investigated topics as diverse as migration, hormones, neuroscience, evolution, ecology, and disease ecology.
To see the videos go to: The Ordinary Extraordinary Junco
Posted in Birds | Tags: Bird Behavior, Birds, Juncos
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 13, 2023
Water shortage solution: Ban purely ornamental turf
The Los Angeles Times has an opinion piece making the case for California to remove lawns and replace them with drought tolerant plants such as natives. It also updates pending legislation to support this.
Limiting thirsty, nonusable landscaping is doubly important right now because
— Read on www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-08-13/editorial-drought-nonfunctional-grass
Posted in Environment | Tags: Drought, Drought tolerant landscaping, Lawns
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 13, 2023
Chumash tribe could help manage new marine sanctuary on California coast
NPR reports
The central California coast, with its rugged beaches and kelp forests, draws a lot of visitors for its scenic beauty. For the Chumash people, the coastline means a lot more.”
Almost all the places people like to go to are our sacred sites,” says Violet Sage Walker, chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council. “We’ve been going there and praying and doing ceremony there for 20,000 years.
“More than 7,000 square miles of ocean there could soon become the largest national marine sanctuary in the continental U.S. It could also make history as one of the first federal sanctuaries to be spearheaded by a Native American tribe, part of a growing movement to give tribes a say over the lands and waters that were once theirs.
Read more at Chumash tribe could help manage new marine sanctuary on California coast : NPR
Posted in Park | Tags: Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 12, 2023
A new gray wolf pack found in California
NPR reports
Gray wolves used to roam most of North America before being hunted, trapped and driven out of most of the continental U.S. by the early 1900s. They are native to California.
— Read on www.npr.org/2023/08/12/1193604095/new-gray-wolf-pack-california
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 12, 2023
Upcoming Birding Festivals and Events
From CornellLab
A great way to enjoy bird watching is by going to festivals—they’re organized to get you to great birding spots at a great time of year, and they’re a great way to meet people. Experts and locals help you see more birds, and you’ll meet other visitors who share your hobby. While you’re there, keep a
See Festival Listings at Birding Festivals and Events | All About Birds All About Birds
Posted in Bird Festivals, Birds | Tags: Birding Festivals
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 12, 2023
Fact Alone Won’t Persuade People to Protect Species and Ecosystems
The Revelator reports
What persuades people to help protect threatened species and ecosystems? Most scientists think facts alone will change minds. They’re wrong.
Read story at How to Make Friends and Influence People — to Save the World • The Revelator
Posted in Animals, Environment | Tags: Proetecting Endangered Species and Ecosystems
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 11, 2023
Job Opening
2 new job postings from CNPS job announcement site
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Openings
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 11, 2023
East Bay Regional Park Hot Weather Hikes
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Shady Hikes and Cooler Parks |
| To beat the August heat, consider visiting Regional Parks with cool weather and shady trails, which offer an escape on hot summer days. More info. |
Posted in Park, Walks & Hikes | Tags: East Bay Regional Parks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 11, 2023
Forest can adapt to climate change, but not quickly enough
UC Santa Barbara reports
America’s forests have a tough time in store for them. Climate change is increasing temperatures and decreasing moisture levels across the country, not a winning combination for trees.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara and University of Utah sought to determine how our sylvan ecosystems might fare in the near future. The authors combined mathematical models and data collected by the U.S. Forest Service and plant physiologists to understand the vulnerability of woodlands to drought. Their findings suggest that, while most forests have the potential to adapt to hotter, dryer conditions, they aren’t changing quickly enough to avoid the impending stress. The study, published in Global Change Biology, serves as a benchmark for future forest research, as well as a guide for conservation and management.
Read more at Forest can adapt to climate change, but not quickly enough
Posted in Environment | Tags: Forest Adaptation to Climate Change
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 10, 2023
Perseid meteor shower Peaks August 11, 12 and 13
EarthSky reports
Perseid meteors have been streaking through Earth’s atmosphere since mid-July. But the moon is now waning, just in time for the shower’s peak on the mornings of August 11, 12 and 13.
Read more at Perseid meteor shower 2023: All you need to know
Posted in Astronomy | Tags: Perseid Meteor Shower
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 10, 2023
Upcoming Events at East Bay Regional Parks
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Posted in Park, Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: East Bay Regional Park Activities
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 10, 2023
Birds raise fewer young when spring arrives earlier in a warming world
UCLA reports
Rising global temperatures are making it harder for birds to know when it’s spring and time to breed according to a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
A large collaboration led by scientists at UCLA and Michigan State University has found that birds produce fewer young if they start breeding too early or late in the season. With climate change resulting in earlier springlike weather, the researchers report, birds have been unable to keep pace.
Read more at : Birds raise fewer young when spring arrives earlier in a warming world
Posted in Birds
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 9, 2023
Photos From My Garden 8/8/23
Photos of some of the flowers currently in bloom in my garden
Posted in Garden, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Flower photos, Garden Photos
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 9, 2023
Virtual Yosemite Wildflower Walk
Go on a virtual Yosemite Wildflowers walk at (3) Video | Facebook
Posted in Park, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Yosemite Wildflowers
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 9, 2023
Threatened Caribbean Corals Receive Critical Habitat Protections Center for Biological Diversity
Center for Biological Diversity News Release
Safeguards Follow Alarming Marine Heat Wave
The National Marine Fisheries Service announced critical habitat designations today for five species of Caribbean corals. The agency’s final rule protects 6,500 square miles of marine habitat in Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Navassa Island and the Flower Gardens Banks in the Gulf of Mexico.
Read more at Threatened Caribbean Corals Receive Critical Habitat Protections – Center for Biological Diversity
Posted in Environment | Tags: Threatened Caribbean Corals
Natural History Wanderings 